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Mbamba Safari Camp: Where Vintage Safari Style Meets Wild Adventure
Remember the good old days?
Where classic style and old school elegance met rugged adventure and the vast expanse of the unknown? Remember the romance and thrill it evoked? The feeling can be likened to mixing Indiana Jones with a sprinkling of James Bond and a touch of Shackleton. At least for us, it does. Mbamba camp encompasses this timelessness, elegance and sense of adventure whilst revelling in modern amenities.
Mbamba means “hello” in the Bukakhwe San Bushman dialect of Botswana, an especially fitting name for a camp which opened this month (April 2025). Mbamba is the latest camp design by Uncharted Africa, a company founded by one of Africa’s most sought-after guides, Ralph Bousfield. Any camp created under the Bousfield name is known for offering traditional safaris and one-of-a-kind experiences that offer a deep connection with the Ovakango Delta ecosystem whilst maintaining an unwavering respect for the environment.
The camp is located in Botswana‘s Northern Okavango Delta, north of the renowned Vumbura and Duba Plains, adjoining the Moremi Game Reserve. Mbamba sits amidst 89,000 hectares of private NG12 concession and is known for its frequent predator sightings and abundant wildlife.
Perfect for…
Mbamba camp is perfect for luxury safari lovers in search of old school charm, a relaxing environment and a deep connection with the natural world. The camp is also ideal for families with children aged six and up as well as larger groups.
Go Where the Wilderness Never Stops
Mbamba is in the heart of a game-rich area which boasts frequent predator viewing. A magical aspect of visiting the Okavango Delta is that it is host to vast habitats with it’s grasslands, woodlands and open flood planes attracting a huge diversity of wildlife.
A key highlight of Mbamba camp for luxury safari visitors is its location to a busy denning area for wild dogs. African wild dogs are an endangered predator known for their pack-like hunting strategies and complex social interactions. Botswana is an essential refuge for African wild dogs and is home to approximately 30% of the continent’s total population.
The location of Mbamba camp is ideal for spotting large herds of elephants and buffalo as well as rare species such as the sable and roan antelopes, cheetah and leopard. The area is also home to a high concentration of lions where lion prides hunt larger prey, such as buffalo, which arrive in big herds attracted to the Okavango Delta’s abundant water sources.
The birdlife here is also exceptional with over 350 species recorded, including the endangered wattled crane, black crake, hottentot teal, carmine bee-eaters and the Pel’s fishing-owl.
Mbamba Luxury Safari Experiences with Ralph Bousfield Trained Guides
Choice is luxury. At Mbamba camp, you have this in abundance with both land, water and air-based safari experiences at your fingertips.
Guides at Mbamba are trained by renowned safari legend Ralph Bousfield and are considered some of the best in the business. Prior to Mbamba opening, the guides have been busy scouting over 89,000 hectares of private concession to establish new routes that will ensure guests are treated to the most exceptional game viewing experiences. Mbamba guides’ experience and knowledge of the area’s ecosystem help ensure guests gain a deeper understanding of the natural world.
Guests can enjoy game drives in luxury safari vehicles twice a day. Night drives offer a unique opportunity to observe nocturnal wildlife in action, using filtered spotlights designed to minimise disturbance to animals.
Water-based tours (which are subject to water levels at the time of visit) are available via mokoro and boat excursions. Mokoros are traditional dug-out canoes, silently guided by a pole, allowing guests to glide effortlessly through the floodplains. This tranquil experience is especially ideal for birdwatchers and photographers, offering close-up encounters with wildlife without causing disturbance.
During the winter months, water from the Angolan Highlands floods the delta, raising water levels to create optimal conditions for mokoro and boat activities. These high water levels also enhance game viewing, as animals from surrounding areas are drawn to the abundant water sources.
View Ancient Art at Tsodilo Hills
Do you love art? If so, this is a must-do activity. Tsodilo Hills is one of Botswana’s most sacred and jaw-dropping natural and cultural landmarks. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its collection of ancient rock art, dramatic geological formations and spiritual significance. Considered by many as the ‘Louvre of the Desert’, Tsodilo Hills retains over 4,500 rock paintings that are estimated to be up to 20,000 years old. Tsodilo Hills is considered to be one of the most significant rock art sites in the world due to its strong collection and variety of artwork.
Mbamba offers helicopter trips to the Tsodilo Hills site. The journey takes thirty minutes by air and provides incredible aerial views of the Okavango Delta along the way.
Vintage Luxury Safari Style Meets Modern Elegance
Mbamba Camp has been designed in the iconic Ralph Bousfield safari style, combining old-school elegance with timeless luxury and modern amenities.
The camp features twelve luxury tents (four doubles, six twins, and two family tents) which are nestled peacefully beneath a canopy of leadwood trees. The design captures the vintage safari charm you’d expect from a Bousfield camp, enhanced by luxurious touches such as mahogany furniture, Persian rugs, plush fabrics, and air conditioning to cool off after long days on the trails. Each tent includes a romantic four-poster bed and a spacious en-suite bathroom with an indoor shower.
Tents are raised on private wooden decks, offering unobstructed, immersive views of the ancient waterways just metres away. All tents are equipped with electricity and incorporate sustainable practices such as solar power, eco-conscious designs, waste management, and water conservation for a true immersion in the wilderness, without compromising on the finer details luxury safaris are known for.
The camp’s central social area invites guests to browse ancient artifacts displayed on the shelves in two lounges, enjoy a drink from the bar, or unwind with a book from the camp library. For those looking to cool off after a day of adventure, the Mbamba pool provides a welcome refresher.
Meals are served on long tables, family-style, either outside under the stars (weather permitting) or under canvas. In the evening, after dinner, guests and guides share fireside tales under the stars before returning to the comfort of their tents.
When to Visit Mbamba Luxury Safari Camp
Mbamba is open year-round, but choosing the right time to visit is key to ensuring you get the luxury safari experience you are looking for.
The Green Season runs from November to March, when the rains transform the Okavango Delta into a lush paradise. Expect dramatic skies, vibrant vegetation, and full, flowing waterways, ideal for water-based safaris. However, with water readily available across the landscape, wildlife tends to spread out, making animals harder to spot.
For optimal wildlife viewing, the dry season from June to October is ideal. During this time, the weather is warm, vegetation thins out, and animals congregate around the remaining water sources, making them easier to see. During this time, it can be more difficult to provide water safaris on mokoros and boats due to thinning water supplies.
Plan Your Dream Luxury Safari
Although Mbamba is a brand-new camp, our team of Africa Safari specialists know it inside out. We sepcialise in matching our guests with the right safari for them, working tirelessly to ensure your luxury safari experience is seamless, uncompromising and unforgettable.
Looking for a little magic?